Refuse collecting apparatus



Jan. 20, 1970 H. E. SMITH REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets- Sheet 1Filed Jan. 18, 1968 INVENTOR: JI/ARULD BSA/11TH.

ATTYS'.

0, 1970 v H. E. sMwH 3,490,631

REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /22 I EI INVENTOR:

JJ'AHULD E. SMITH.

Jan. 20, 1970 H. E; SMITH 3,

REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18. 1968 V 5 Sheets-Sheet 5lllllll dl'JH'iiilllllllllIIIIIIIHHHIIIIIII L 2 2 2 2 INVENTOR:

' HAHULD .73". SMITH.

Jan. 20, 1970 H. E. SMITH 3,490,631

REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. HAHULD E. SMITH.

United States Patent 3,490,631 REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Harold E.Smith, Defiance, Ohio, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, ofone-fourth each to Harold E. Smith and Thad J. Earl, both of Defiance,Ohio, and one-half to R-N Acceptance Limited, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,a corporation of Alberta Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.591,996, Nov. 4, 1966. This application Jan. 18, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. B65f 3/00 U.S. Cl. 2l4503 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis application is a continuation-in-part of my pending application,Ser. No. 591,996, filed Nov. 4, 1966, now abandoned, and entitled RefuseCarrier.

This invention relates to refuse collecting apparatus and moreparticularly to such apparatus having improved means for compactingrefuse as it is loaded into the receptacle and for subsequentlydisposing of the refuse.

Refuse receptacles with means for compacting or compressing some of therefuse loaded therein have been proposed heretofore. However, with suchreceptacles the compressing device has been in the form of a plungerwhich pushed the refuse into the receptacle and any compressing which isaccomplished is due to the plunger squeezing the newly deposited refuseagainst refuse already in the receptacle. Consequently, the first refusedeposited in the receptacle is compacted or compressed very little, ifat all.

With the refuse receptacle according to the invention, two plungers areemployed, the first of which moves the refuse from a loading chamberinto the receptacle and the second of which compresses the refuseagainst a solid, immobile surface so that each load of refuse iscompacted fully, regardless of the amount of refuse already in thereceptacle. With the greater carrying capacity of the receptacleachieved with this compacting arrangement, either a much smallerreceptacle can be employed or a greater carrying capacity can beachieved. For example,

with the increased carrying capacity, the receptacle can be mounted on arefuse vehicle the size of a bakery truck or the like, which decreasesthe cost, both initial and operating, of the refuse vehicle and alsoincreases the mobility of the vehicle. The receptacle can also bestationary, located at an apartment house, for example, and periodicallypicked up by a vehicle and carried to the dump.

The compacting plungers of the refuse apparatus according to theinvention also can be operated continuously during the loadingoperation. This enables the loading chamber to be cleared morefrequently and enables a smaller chamber to be employed again to reducethe overall size of the vehicle. The vehicle also has an improved torquebar arrangement for maintaining the loading plunger perpendicular to thedirectionof travel during the forward and reverse strokes.

With the continual operation of the loading plunger in "ice the loadingchamber, means must be provided to prevent refuse from being depositedbehind the plunger during loading, when the plunger is in its forward orextended position. To achieve this, a flexible cover has been devisedhaving one end attached to the plunger and designed so as to moveforwardly behind the plunger during the forward stroke of the plungerand to retract as the plunger retracts. The cover thereby is effectivein collecting refuse dumped when the plunger is extended and indirecting the refuse to the front of the plunger as it is retracted. Thecover also is relatively easy to maintain and is low in initial cost.

Withthe high degree of refuse compaction attained, the receptacle can bemuch smaller and, with the small size, can be relatively easily tiltedrearwardly for dumping. For this purpose, the receptacle can be equippedwith suitable hydraulic mechanism and with a door at the rear endthereof pivoted at the top to swing open when the vehicle is tilted.After the material is dumped, it has been found that there is a tendencyfor a door of this type to catch on the dumped refuse as it swings shut,as the container or receptacle is lowered. To overcome this, the hingeddoor in accordance with the invention can be equipped with means formaintaining the door open when the receptacle is lowered, after whichthe door can be released to enable it to shut. With this arrangement,the door will completely clear the dumped refuse. The dumpingarrangement also enables the receptacle to slide forward, when in thelower position, to form a more effective seal with stationary portionsof the apparatus.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide animproved refuse collecting apparatus with means for compacting therefuse more effectively than heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide refuse apparatus having acompacting plunger capable of effectively compressing refuse in therefuse receptacle regardless of the amount previously loaded therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a refuse vehiclehaving a continuously operating loading plunger with an improvedflexible cover associated therewith to prevent refuse from beingdeposited behind the plunger. 1 l

A further object of the invention is to provide a refu e vehicle with adoor which will remain open after refuse is dumped, to preventinterference between the door and the dumped refuse.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation of a refuse vehicle embodying theinvention, and with a receptacle thereof also shown titled in dottedlines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side view in elevation, with partsbroken away and with parts in section, of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1and particularly showing a loading plunger and a compacting plunger;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the refuse vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2 and showing morefully the compacting plunger, in elevation;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the loading plunger and showing meansfor maintaining the plunger perpendicular to the path of travel duringits forward and reverse strokes;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of controls for operating the loading andcompacting plungers;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of a loading chamber of the vehicle andshowing a flexible cover movable with the loading plunger to preventrefuse from being dumped behind the plunger;

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of means for maintaining the unloadingdoor in the open position even after the receptacle has been dumped andthen lowered;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of a modified refusevehicle embodying the invention;

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic side view in elevation of anothermodified refuse vehicle embodying the invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a hydraulic system employed with therefuse vehicle of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a side view in elevation similar to FIG. 10 of still anothermodified refuse vehicle according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, garbage collecting apparatus embodying theinvention is shown as a refuse vehicle 10 which includes a cab section12, a loading chamber section 14, and a receptacle section 16. Becauseof the high degree of compaction possible with the apparatus embodyingthe invention, the overall refuse vehicle can be about the size andshape of a bakery or milk truck, for example. Basically in operation,refuse is dumped into the loading chamber section 14 from which it ispushed into the refuse receptacle section 16 where it is compacted andfrom which it is subsequently dumped.

The loading section 14 can be open at the top and equipped with loadingdoors 18 on each side, the doors being hinged to and supported bysuitable frame members 20. A loading chamber 22, formed below the doors18, can be relatively small and with low side walls to enable a garbagecan or the like to be dumped thereinto when either door 18 is open. Aloading plunger assembly 24 at the bottom of the loading chamber 22operates continually to push deposited refuse into the receptaclesection 16. Because of this continuous operation, the loading chamber 22is constantly cleared and, hence, can be of small size to further theoverall compact design of the vehicle.

The receptacle section 16 includes a tiltable refuse receptacle chamber26- which receives the refuse from the loading chamber 22. When therefuse has been pushed into the receptacle, a compacting plungerassembly 28 compacts the refuse against a floor 29 or other stationarysurface, independently of the amount of refuse already in thereceptacle. With refuse vehicles heretofore known, the refuse was simplypushed into the receptacle until it was full and only at this time didcompaction of the refuse begin. Consequently, refuse at the rear of thereceptacle would never be compressed to any extent 'because of theresiliency inherent in the refuse located between the plunger and therear of the receptacle. With the double plunger arangement of the newvehicle, however, it has been found that a five cubic yard receptaclecan carry approximately seventy percent of the load carried in a sixteencubic yard truck heretofore known.

The loading plunger assembly 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, includes aloading plunger 30 which extends across the width of the chamber 22, butis only about two-thirds as high as the chamber 22 and a dischargeopening 32 communicating with the receptacle 26. The plunger 30 isoperated by a power cylinder 34 from which extends a cylinder rod 36connected to a central portion of the plunger. The cylinder 34 canextend into the cab section 12 of the vehicle between and below seats 38therein. The stroke is of sufiicient length to enable the plunger 30 tomove between a retracted position at the forward end of the loadingchamber 22, as shown in full lines in FIG. 2, and an extended or forwardposition adjacent the discharge opening 32 of the chamber 22 as shown indotted lines in FIG. 2.

A torque bar assembly 40, FIGS. 2 and 5, maintains the plunger 30perpendicular to the direction in which it is moved. The assembly 40includes a main torque bar 42 which is also perpendicular to thedirection of travel of the plunger and is rotatably mounted in ears 44which are attached to and supported by a suitable framework portion ofthe cab section 12 of the vehicle 10. A pair of torque arms 46 areaflixed to spaced portions of the torque bar 42 and are parallel to oneanother. End portions of the torque bars 46 are pivotally connected topivotal connecting links 48 which are pivotally attached to spacedflange portions 50 of the plunger 30. With this arrangement, anytendency for the plunger 30' to cock will tend to twist the torque bar42, which is sufficiently heavy to resist such twisting and maintain theplunger 30 perpendicular to the direction of travel.

The compacting plunger assembly 28, FIGS. 2 and 4, includes a plunger 52slanted rearwardly so as to tend to move refuse rearwardly into thereceptacle 26 during compaction. The plunger 52 is moved in a verticalpath adjacent the discharge opening 32 by a suitable hydraulic cylinder54 which is connected to the plunger 52 through a cylinder rod 56. Thecylinder 54 is of sufficient length to move the plunger 52 from aretracted position near the top of the opening 32, as shown in dottedlines in FIG. 2, to an extended position near the floor 29 of thereceptacle 26, approximately as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2.

The plunger 52 is maintained perpendicular to its direction of travel bymeans of a torque shaft 58 extending across the plunger 52 and rotatablyheld by side walls 60 thereof. A pair of pinion gears 62 are aflixed toand rotate with the shaft 58 and engage gear racks 64 during the entiremovement of the plunger 52 between its forward and retracted positions.Any tendency for the plunger 52 to cock will tend to twist the torqueshaft 58 which is sufficiently heavy to resist such twisting. Ifdesired, the plunger 52 can have a cover wall 66 extending upwardlytherefrom and telescoping within an outer cylinder cover 68 to preventthe possibility of refuse being jammed behind the plunger 52.

In the operation of the loading plunger 30 and the compacting plunger52, the loading plunger preferably operates continually between itsforward and retracted positions to constantly clear the loading chamber22. The compacting plunger 52 preferably moves downwardly each time theloading plunger 30 has moved to its extended position and begins toretract at the same time as or before the loading plunger retracts. Withthe space between the plunger 30 and the upper edge of the opening 32,the compacting plunger 52 will tend to pull into the receptacle 26 anyrefuse above the plunger 30.

Suitable controls for effecting operation of these plungers arediagrammatically shown in FIG. 6. The power cylinders 34 and 54 can besupplied with hydraulic fluid from a reservoir designated Res. and apump P through suitable four-way valves 70 and 72. These are operated bylatch-trip relays 74 and 76, respectively. When both of the plungers 30and 52 are in their retracted positions, a limit switch 78 is contactedby the plunger 30 and is closed to energize the latch-trip relay 74 andcause hydraulic fluid to be supplied through the valve 70 to the blindend of the cylinder 34. The plunger 30 then extends forwardly, pushingrefuse into the receptacle, until it reaches the end of its stroke. Atthis time, pressure builds up in the cylinder 34 until a pressure switchPS1 is actuated. This energizes the latchtrip relay 76 and causes fluidto be supplied to the blind end of the cylinder 54 through the valve 72.The plunger 52 moves downwardly until it either reaches the end of itsstroke or compacts the refuse thereunder sufliciently to cause a secondpressure switch PS2 to be energized.

This switch trips both of the relays 74 and 76 to return the valves 70and 72 to their original positions and causes both plungers to retract.The cylinder 54 is of smaller diameter than the cylinder 34 to cause theplunger 52 to reach its retracted position first. When the plunger 30again reaches its retracted position, it contacts the limit switch 78and causes the relay 74 to energize the valve 70 and cause the plunger30 to again move toward its extended position to repeat the cycle.

Because refuse will be dumped frequently into the chamber 22 when thepiston is beyond its retracted position, means must be provided toprevent refuse from dropping behind the plunger 30 and eventuallycausing jamming. For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention,a flexible cover 80 (FIGS. 2 and 7) can be employed. A lower front edgeof the cover 80 is suitably attached to an upper edge portion of theplunger 30 with this being achieved by a rod 82 in this instance sewninto the edge of the cover 80 and received in end ears 84 affixed to theupper edge of the plunger. The upper, rear edge of the cover 80 isresiliently supported to enable the cover to move with the plunger 30and yet retract when the plunger retracts. For this purpose, an upperrod 86 can be sewn into the upper edge of the cover 80 and extend beyondthe edges thereof into tracks 88 formed by a suitable framework of thevehicle. Suitable wheels 90 can be carried by the ends of the rod 86 toenable the upper edge of the cover to be guided with less fiiction. Longsprings 92 are connected to end portions of the rod 86 and are suitablyconnected to the vehicle at their opposite ends. The springs 92 areplaced in tension when the plunger 30 moves toward its extended positionand thus cause the cover 80 to retract when the plunger 30 retracts. Thecover can be guided around a guide rod 93 which also helps clear refuseoff the cover when it retracts.

The cover 80 is positioned approximately as shown in dotted lines inFIG. 2 when the plunger 30 is extended so that refuse dumped on thecover 80 will tend to move toward the receptacle 26, particularly as theplunger 30 retracts and the cover 80 moves toward a vertical position.Suitable stops 94 can limit the extent of downward movement of thewheels 90 and the rod 86 to prevent the cover 80 from moving downwardlytoo far in the event that very heavy refuse is dumped thereon when theplunger is extended.

The cover 80 is relatively maintenance free and is of low cost initialconstruction. Replacement can be accomplished easily and relativelyinexpensively, when necessary.

When the receptacle 26 is to be emptied, it can be tilted rearwardly bya suitable fluid-operated ram 96 (FIG. 1). When the receptacle 26 istilted, the loading chamber doors and associated structure, remain withthe chassis of the vehicle. When the receptacle 26 is in its lowerposition, a slight gap 98 may exist between the receptacle and theloading chamber 22. In order to dispose of liquids from the refuse whichmay drain from the gap 98 (FIG. 2), a trough 100 extends transverselyunder the vehicle and directs the liquid into a receptacle 102 locatedat one side of the vehicle. This receptacle can be emptied from time totime, as when the refuse is dumped.

An unloading door 104 is located at the rear end of the receptacle (seeparticularly FIGS. 1 and 8). The door 104 is suitably hinged by ears 108to the upper rear corners of the receptacle 26 and can pivot outwardlyas shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, when the receptacle is tilted. Thedoor also has a slanted lower portion 110 which causes refuse to moveupwardly toward the top of the vehicle as it is compacted and pushedrearwardly in the receptacle 26. This enables the compacted refuse tofill the receptacle quite uniformly.

When the refuse has been dumped into a pile, as indicated in FIG. 1, thedoor 104 frequently will catch on the pile and spread an upper portionthereof as the door swings shut when the receptacle lowers. It has beenfound, however, that if the door is maintained in the open positionwhile the receptacle is lowered and, if necessary, while the vehicle isdriven away from the pile, the door can then be shut without anyinterference with the dumped refuse.

In order to maintain the door 104 in the open position when thereceptacle 26 is lowered from the dumping position to the operatingposition, a ratchet 114 is affixed to the door, preferably at an upperedge portion thereof, as shown in FIG. 8. A pawl 116 contacts theratchet 114 and is pivotally supported on an axle 118. The pawl is urgedtoward the ratchet 114 by a spring 120. As the receptacle tilts and thedoor swings open, the teeth of the ratchet 114 can move past the pawl116 without resistance. When the door is in its fully open position andthen tends to close as the receptacle is lowered, the door 104 isprevented from shutting by cooperation of the pawl and the teeth.

When the receptacle is lowered, the door can then be swung shut byreleasing the pawl 116. For this purpose, the axle 118 has an arm 122 atone side of the receptacle connected to a suitable release cord 124which can be grasped by the operator to move the axle 118 in acounterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 8 and release the pawl 116from the ratchet 114. Of course, the same result can be obtained bymounting the ratchet 114 on the receptacle and the pawl 116 on the door104. In addition, the ratchet 114 can be mounted to pivot and bereleased, rather than the pawl 116.

A modified refuse vehicle 126 is shown in FIG. 9, this vehicle beingsimilar to the vehicle 10 but with certain modifications. A flexiblecover 128 in this instance is suitably affixed to the upper edge of theplunger 30 but has an intermediate portion extending over a roller 130in an elongate, vertical housing 132 forwardly of the loading chamber22. The roller 130 is rotatably carried by a pair of end plates 134which are supported by springs 136 and adjustable hangers 138. The cover128 extends over the roller and is suitably aflixed to a lower forwardedge 140 of the elongate housing 132. With this arrange ment, theoverall height of the space required for the cover can be reduced withthe springs 136 merely stretching when the plunger 30 moves toward itsextended position, and vice versa.

When the second plunger 52 moves downwardly, it will sometimes compresslarger pieces of refuse which are partially supported on the floor ofthe chamber 22. This will cause the receptacle 26 to tend to rise asforce is exerted by the plunger 52 through the refuse and onto thestationary portion of the vehicle. To overcome this, a pair of hold-downhooks 142 are located on each side of the vehicle. The hooks aresupported on a shaft 144 extending across the vehicle and operated by asuitable crank or handle 146. The hooks 142 normally engage latch pins148 and are released by the crank only when the receptacle 26 is to bedumped.

Heretofore, it has been difficult to obtain an effective seal betweenthe receptacle 26 and the edges of the walls forming the chamber 22because of the pivotal motion of the receptacle 26, which results in arelative sliding movement at the seal. However, the vehicle 126 has aunique dumping arrangement which enables the receptacle 26 to move in agenerally horizontal path toward and away rorn the stationary walls ofthe chamber 22. For this purpose, the receptacle 26 has hinge ears 150with elongate slots 152 which receive hinge pins 154 suitably supportedby the vehicle frame. A hoist cylinder 156 has a piston rod 158connected between the vehicle frame and the receptacle in a manner suchthat the piston rod has not quite reached the end of its stroke when thereceptacle 26 first reaches a horizontal position after dumping. Withthis arrangement, when the receptacle 26 is to be dumped, fluid issupplied to the lower end of the cylinder 156 to force the piston rod158 outwardly, at which time the entire receptacle 26 slides rearwardlyuntil the hinge pins 154 reach the forward ends of the elongate slots152. Further movement of the piston rod 158 causes the receptacle 26 tobegin its usual pivotal dumping movement until reaching a positionapproximately as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. When the receptacle 26is to be lowered, the piston rod 158 retracts into the cylinder 156.When the receptacle reaches its horizontal position and cannot pivotfurther, subsequent retraction of the piston 158 causes the receptacleto move forwardly, toward the left, until the hinge pins 154 again reachthe rear ends of the elongate slots 152.

The slots 152 are located at a slight angle, as shown, so that most ofthe receptacle will not be in contact with the frame until the forward,horizontal movement is substantially complete. This reduces frictionbetween the receptacle and the frame during the generally horizontalmovement of the receptacle. With this arrangement, rubber strips 160which are located at the sides and bottom of the chamber 22 engage andseal completely with the front wall of .the receptacle 26 when thereceptacle is in its operating position.

The refuse vehicle also can be in the form of a trailer, as indicated at162 in FIG. 10, rather than a complete truck having its own power drive.The vehicle or trailer 162 can be towed to a desired location where itis left to receive refuse for a suitable period, such as a week, atwhich time it can be towed to a refuse dump and emptied. The trailer 162can be used advantageously in applications such as hospitals, apartmenthouse projects, and military barracks, by way of example. A principaladvantage is that one towing vehicle can be employed with a relativelylarge number of the trailers which are substantially less expensive thana complete motorized vehicle.

The trailer 162 includes a supporting frame or chassis 164 having atongue 166 carrying a trailer hitch 168. The frame is supported on twopair of rear wheels 170 and is equipped with a retractable front support172 of a conventional type. The trailer further employs the refusereceptacle 26 similarly to the receptacle 26 of FIG. 9 or of FIG. 1,byway of example, and employs the secondary plunger 52 and the loadingchamber 22, as well as the loading plunger 30 to achieve a high degreeof compaction and a large capacity for the receptacle 26. A housing 174carries the flexible cover 128, the housing 174 slanting forwardly, inthis instance, to provide a larger area for dumping receptacles into theloading chamber 22 since there is no vehicle cab which would otherwiseinterfere with the housing in this position.

The trailer 162 also carries its own power drive for operating thecylinders of the primary plunger 30 and the secondary plunger 52. Thedrive is also used in operating a dump cylinder 176 for the receptacle26 and a door cylinder 178 for the dumping door 104. The power driveincludes a reservoir tank 180 and a pump driven by a motor 182 which hasan electrical plug 184 connected to a suitable power source at the siteat which the trailer 162 is to be located.

When the trailer 162 is to be towed to the garbage dump to be emptied,the power system includes hoses 186 and 188 having quick disconnectcouplings for connecting the power system to a pump of the towingvehicle, which pump is connected to and powered by the power take-offshaft of the towing vehicle engine. When the trailer 162 reaches thedump, the door cylinder 178 and the tilting cylinder 176 can be operatedto effect dumping by means of this pump.

The power system for the trailer 162 is shown diagrammatically in FIG.11. Hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 180 can be supplied by a pump Pdriven by the motor 182 to a four-way valve 190 which controls thedumping cylinder 176. The fluid also can be supplied to a four-way valve192 which controls the door cylinder 178. A hand-operated valve 193controls flow of fluid to a pressure-responsive valve 194 which suppliesfluid to the cylinder 34 for the first plunger 30 and the cylinder 54for the second plunger 52. In the position shown, fluid is supplied tothe blind end of the cylinder 34 to extend the plunger 30 until the endof the stroke is reached and the pressure in the line reaches apredetermined value, e.g., 1450 p.s.i. A pressure-sensitive valve 196 isthen actuated to supply fluid to the blind end of the cylinder 54 toextend the plunger 52 until the fluid in the left-hand line reaches apredetermined higher pressure, e.g. 1600 p.s.i., at which time the valve194 shifts and supplies fluid to the right-hand line. Fluid is thensupplied to the rod ends of both cylinders to retract the plungers withfluid from the cylinder 54 then by-passing the valve 196 through a checkvalve 198. When the pressure in the right-hand line reaches 1300 p.s.i.,for example, after the plungers are retracted, the valve 194 switches toautomatically cycle the plungers once again, the cycle continuing aslong as the motor 182 runs. Fluid is returned to the reservoir 180through a main check valve 200. A relief valve 202 is located in theline to recirculate fluid back to the reservoir 180 when supply pressurereaches a predetermined amount.

The lines 186 and 188 are shown schematically on each side of the pump Pto provide the connection to lines of the pump of the towing vehiclewhen the receptacle is to be dumped.

A modified refuse vehicle 204 is shown in FIG. 12. This vehicle isdesigned in two sections including a loading chamber section 206 and areceptacle section 208. The loading chamber section 206 is stationary,being mounted on a suitable platform 210 and otherwise can besubstantially similar to the corresponding components of the vehicle ofFIG. 10. The sections are connected together by suitable hooks 212 andpins 214 to prevent separation of the sections particularly when theloading plunger 30 is moved toward the receptacle section to compactrefuse therein.

The receptacle section 208 includes a receptacle 216 mounted on a frame218 having a single pair of wheels 220, one pair being suflicientbecause substantially less weight is carried than in the case of thetrailer 162 of FIG. 10. In this instance, the receptacle 216 is pivotedto the frame 218 near the front of the receptacle by suitable pivot ears222 and a separate housing 224 is provided for the plunger 52 and thecylinder 54, the housing being pivotally connected to the receptacle 216by upper hinges 226. The housing 224 is held against the receptacle 216by suitable hooks 228 and pins 230. For dumping purposes, when thesection 208 is separated from the section 206 and taken to a dump, thehooks 228 are released from the pins 230 to enable the housing 224 topivot outwardly from thereceptacle 216 when a dumping or tiltingcylinder 232 is actuated. The housing 224 can then be swung out by adoor cylinder 234. In this instance, the dumping cylinder 232 is locatedat the rear of the receptacle 216 and mounted between the receptacle anda tongue 236 having a suitable hitch 238. When the receptacle section208 is pulled away from the section 206, a lightweight cover door 240can be swung down to cover the receiving opening for the receptacle toprevent refuse from spilling when the section 208 is towed to the dump.

It is possible for two or three of the sections 208 to be towed to thedump together to reduce the number of trips required. When at the dump,the towing vehicle can be put in reverse to cause the several towedvehicles to jack-knife whereby dumping can be achieved. The cylinders232 and 234 can be connected through quick-disconnect couplings to apump operated by the power takeoff shaft of the towingvehicle, somewhatsimilar to the arrangement employed with the trailer of FIG. 10.

Various modifications of the above described embodiments of theinvention will be apparent to those skilled in. the art, and it is to beunderstood that such modifications can be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A refuse vehicle comprising a receptacle having walls and a dischargeend, means for tilting said receptacle to dump refuse therefrom throughthe end, a door on said end forming at least a portion of the wall forsaid end, hinge means pivotally connecting said door to said receptacleat said end, one of the walls of said receptacle having a loadingaperture, a loading chamber adjacent said loading aperture of saidreceptacle for receiving refuse, a plunger, a face on said plungermounted to be maintained in planes generally paralleling the wall ofsaid receptacle having the loading aperture, means for moving saidplunger across said loading chamber toward and away from the aperture ofsaid receptacle to move refuse from said chamber into said receptacle,said plunger face having a width generally corresponding to the width ofthe aperture and a height approaching but less than the height of saidaperture whereby a margin of said aperture adjacent and spaced from theupper edge of said plunger face cooperates therewith to retaintherebetween articles of refuse with portions thereof protrudingtherefrom into said chamber, a compacting plunger mounted for movementnormal to the movement of said first mentioned plunger at a positionadjacent and in non-interfen ing relationship to said first mentionedplunger when at its limit of travel toward the interior of saidreceptacle, a stationary work surface opposite said compacting plunger,a face on said compacting plunger essentially parallel to said worksurface and oriented with respect to said work surface with a slightdivergence toward said recepiacle interior, means for moving saidcompacting plunger face across a substantial portion of the aperture andsaid first mentioned plunger face and toward and away from said worksurface, whereby the edge of said compacting plunger face adjacent saidfirst mentioned plunger face cooperates with the upper edge of saidfirst mentioned plunger face to impose shearing force on any refusehaving portions protruding into said chamber from between the margin ofthe receptacle aperture spaced from the upper edge of said firstmentioned plunger face and said upper edge of said first mentionedplunger face and wehreby said face of said compacting plunger imposes apreponderant component of its force as it is moved toward said worksurface as compression on the refuse between said face and said worksurface, and automatic control means for said means for moving saidfirst mentioned plunger and for moving said compacting plunger foradvancing said first mentioned plunger toward said chamber while saidcompacting plunger is retracted and for initiating extension of saidcompacting plunger toward said work surface in response to thecompletion of the extension of said first mentioned plunger toward saidchamber.

2. A refuse vehicle according to claim 1 characterized by a ratchetattached to one of said door and said receptacle, a pawl attached to theother of said door and said receptacle and engageable with said ratchetto enable said door to swing to an opening position but to prevent saiddoor from closing, and means attached to one of said ratchet and saidpawl to enable said pawl to be released from said ratchet and enablesaid door to close.

3. Refuse collecting apparatus comprising a receptacle having walls, oneof the walls of said receptacle having a loading aperture, a loadingplunger for moving refuse into said receptacle, a face on said loadingplunger for pushing the refuse, means for moving said loading plungertoward and away from said receptacle and to a position with said faceadjacent said loading aperture and generally parallel to the plane ofthe wall having said aperture, said plunger face having a widthgenerally corresponding to the width of the aperture and a heightapproaching but less than the height of said aperture whereby a marginof said aperture adjacent and spaced from the upper edge of said plungercooperates therewith to retain therebetween articles of refuse withportions thereof protruding therefrom into said chamber, a compactingplunger mounted for movement normal to the movement of said loadingplunger at a position adjacent and in non-interfering relationship tosaid loading plunger when at its limit of travel toward the interior ofsaid receptacle, a stationary work surface opposite said compactingplunger, a face on said compacting plunger essentially parallel to saidwork surface and oriented with respect to said work surface with aslight divergence toward said receptacle interior, means for moving saidcompacting plunger face toward and away from said work surface andacross a substantial portion of the aperture and said loading plungerface whereby the edge of said compacting plunger face adjacent saidloading plunger face cooperates with the upper edge of said loadingplunger face to impose shearing force on any refuse having portionsprotruding into said chamber from between the margin of the receptacleaperture spaced from the upper edge of said loading plunger face andsaid upper edge of said loading plunger face and whereby said face ofsaid compacting plunger imposes a preponderant component of its force asit is moved toward said work surface as compression on the refusebetween said face and said work surface, and automatic control means forsaid means for moving said loading plunger and for moving saidcompacting plunger for advancing said loading plunger toward saidchamber while said compacting plunger is retracted and for initiatingextension of said compacting plunger toward said work surface inresponse to the completion of the extension of said loading plungertoward said chamber.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3- including means for moving saidloading plunger continuously between an extended position toward saidreceptacle and a retracted position away from said receptacle.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 including a flexible cover affixed tosaid loading plunger adjacent the upper edge of its face and moveabletherewith, one edge of said flexible cover being held stationary, saidcover being positioned to prevent refuse from falling behind saidloading plunger when said loading plunger is moved toward saidreceptacle, and resilient means engageable with an intermediate portionof said cover to enable said intermediate portion to tend to straightenas the plunger moves toward the receptacle and to tend to double back asthe plunger moves away from the receptacle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3' including means for maintaining saidloading plunger perpendicular to the direction of movement, saidmaintaining means comprising a torque bar, means for pivotallysupportings said torque bar generally perpendicular to the direction ofmovement of said loading plunger, a pair of torque arms afiixed tospaced portions of said torque bar and extending parallely therefrom,and means pivotally connecting said torque arms and spaced portions ofsaid loading plunger whereby any tendency of said loading plunger tocock will cause said torque bar to tend to twist.

7. A combination according to claim 3 including a trailer frame adaptedto be towed behind a towing vehicle wherein said refuse receptacle ismounted on said frame for tilting movement relative to said frame,wheels supporting said frame, a trailer hitch at an end portion of saidframe, and wherein said compacting means is supported by said frame forcompacting refuse in said receptacle.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by a fluid-operatedtilting cylinder and piston rod connected between said frame and saidreceptacle, and lines having quick-disconnect fittings connected withsaid cylinder for supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from saidcylinder.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by said receptaclehaving a door pivotally connected thereto, fluidoperated means foropening and closing said door, and lines having quick-disconnectfittings communicating with said fluid-operated means for supplyingfluid to and exhausting fluid from said fluid-operated means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by means forming aloading chamber mounted on said frame between said receptacle and saidtrailer bitch, and means for moving refuse from said chamber into saidreceptacle.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said moving means isfluid-operated, and a pump mounted on said frame between said loadingchamber and said trailer hitch for supplying fluid under pressure tosaid fluid-operated moving means. 7

12. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 characterized by a rear, dumping doorforming an end of said receptacle and pivotally mounted at an upperportion thereof to said receptacle, and means for opening and closingsaid door.

13. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by a separate housingcarrying said compacting means, said separate housing being mounted forpivotal movement to open said receptacle to enable the contents thereofto be emptied.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 characterized by a fluid-operatedcylinder and piston rod connected between the end of said receptacleopposite said separate housing and said frame to enable said receptacleto be tilted for emptying.

15. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized further by means offorming a stationary loading chamber positioned to cooperate with saidreceptacle, means for moving refuse in said loading chamber toward saidreceptacle, and means connecting said loading chamber means and saidreceptacle to hold said chamber means and receptacle together and toenable them to be completely separated when desired.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,110 11/1954 Feidert.2,767,867 10/1956 Wood 214-83.3 3,207,336 9/1965 Boeck et al 214823,230,868 1/1966 Smith 21483.3 XR 3,250,414 5/1966 Pioch 2143023,254,782 6/1966 Mold 21483.3 XR 3,370,525 2/1968 Bowles 214-833 ALBERTJ. MAKAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

